Stressed About TV? 5 Tips to Help

TV can be a caregiver's best friend -- or a source of household stress. Here, 5 top TV-watching pet peeves and what to do about them.

By Paula Spencer Scott, Caring.com senior editor

Problem #3: You don't like the same shows

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You like dramas; she likes the Weather Channel. Along with differing tastes among adults, homes with younger children and grandparents may also face a generational divide.

Try this:

Agree to disagree. No one household member should hold a monopoly on viewing choices, no matter his or her age. Agree to a schedule and post it so everyone can see.
Prerecord different family members' favorites via tools like Tivo, or watch them on demand. The days of having to watch a particular show at a particular time are over.
Consider two TV sets, in different locations, for times when preferences differ but everybody wants to be watching. (Note that sleep experts recommend against having a TV in the bedroom, especially if insomnia or other sleep issues are a problem.) Or try watching your favorites on your laptop via a website like Hulu.com.
Look for options everyone can agree on, such as family-oriented movies for every generation. Keep a running list of favorites to try and institute a regular "movie night," complete with popcorn.